IMF urges more European support of Ireland

WESTPORT, Ireland--The success of Ireland's international bailout hinges on it getting more European support and there being economic recovery externally, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said on Monday as it cut its growth forecast for Ireland for next year.

Eurozone leaders agreed at their summit in June to look at improving Ireland's bank rescue, a commitment that has pushed Irish bond yields down sharply and allowed Dublin to raise long-term debt for the first time since it secured the EU/IMF bailout almost two years ago.

Ireland wants the terms tied to 31 billion euros (US$39.7 billion)of IOUs pumped into two failed banks eased and Europe's rescue funds to take over its stakes in other lenders, something the IMF said was needed to put the rescue programme "on a clear path to successful completion."

"When implemented, recent European commitments could decisively improve program prospects ... Success hinges on external economic recovery and more European support," the IMF said in its latest report on Ireland's bailout progress.

"Timely commitment to such a strengthening of European support, especially ESM investments in the equity of Irish banks, therefore offers real prospects for Ireland to exit its reliance on official financing, which would be a positive breakthrough in the euro area crisis."

The prospect of Ireland missing next month's deadline for a decision on a bank deal was raised last week when its central bank governor, who remained confident one would be reached, said there were "sequencing issues" to parts of it.

Ireland's finance minister added on Monday that the deadline may prove too ambitious given delays to a rescue package for Spanish lenders, but also expressed confidence, saying his belief was that Ireland had a deal in principle.

The IMF said that were Europe's permanent rescue fund to take over the government's stakes in its banks, it would have the added advantage of much improving their profitability and value and thus their capacity to provide sound lending.

It also said the IOUs Ireland wants to refinance could be replaced by long-term government securities or European rescue funds, adding that a bond would avoid adding to debts that markets may consider senior.

"Either approach could work but we see the advantage of long-term government security being that it's not a senior debt compared with the regular debts so that improves the overall debt structure in terms of regaining market access," IMF mission chief to Ireland Craig Beaumont said in a conference call.

The IMF added that progress on working out troubled loans at the country's banks has not advanced as rapidly as it desired.

While again praising Dublin for the "vigorous" policy implementation that has made it the toast of Europe's bailed out countries, the IMF noted that a deterioration in economic conditions outside of Ireland would hamper its growth prospects.

It said it expected gross domestic product (GDP) to grow by 1.4 percent in 2013 and not the 1.9 percent predicted in June, while it also lowered its forecast for this year slightly, to 0.4 percent from 0.5 percent,